Austin — Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. is proud to announce the kickoff of the 2023 Save Texas History Essay Contest for 4^th and 7^th grade students. The Save Texas History Essay Contest encourages students to answer an important question: “What history in your community is worth saving?”

"My family were some of the first pioneers to settle in Texas seven generations ago, and from these deep roots that bind me to the very heart of Texas I have made it my mission to preserve our state's rich history," said Commissioner Buckingham. "The Save Texas History Program's Essay Contest encourages young Texans to view our history through the lens of preservation by connecting them to what matters most in their own communities. Through the Save Texas History program, the General Land Office will continue working to ensure that the many cherished stories, documents and artifacts that make up our state's history are safeguarded for future generations of Texans."

Last year’s student essays reflected the rich diversity of community history in Texas. The fourth-grade grand prize winner, Brenton Cloud of Spring, explored the festivals and events of his hometown, specifically the Texas Crawfish and Music Festival and PetFest. He enjoys seeing “the old buildings and imagining what the railroad workers were thinking when they settled in this area and what life was like back then.”

The seventh-grade grand prize winner, Myreen Mamun, wrote about USS Texas and its participation in two world wars, including its role at D-Day. As she notes in her essay, the “Mighty T,” as the battleship is sometimes called, “is priceless to us and deserves to be continuously preserved for generations to come.”

This year’s two grand prize winners will each receive a gift card worth $500 courtesy of Chris Cantu of Kingsview Partners. The five finalists in each grade will receive gift cards worth $100 courtesy of the Moses Austin Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and Buck Cole.

All winners and finalists will receive a Save Texas History backpack and t-shirt, a Certificate of Achievement signed by Commissioner Buckingham, and other prizes from the Texas General Land Office and essay sponsors. In addition, all winners, finalists, and their teachers will receive complimentary items and memberships from the Texas State Historical Association.  

Entries must meet all eligibility requirements and be received by November 27, 2023. More information and the contest entry form can be found at SaveTexasHistory.org, or by contacting essaycontest@glo.texas.gov.

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The Texas General Land Office Save Texas History™ program is a statewide initiative to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of more than 35 million historic maps and documents. With the twin goals of preservation and education, the Save Texas History program seeks to conserve these documents for future generations and educate Texans about the rich heritage found in these vital records.

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